The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Bringing a 3100 home...questions

I'm looking at a 3100 next weekend. The pictures and description look good, and the price is okay too.

Here's my question: it's four hours or more away from me driving on the interstate, which I know I can't use if I buy this thing. The alternate route, traveling B highways at maybe 50 mph could take as long as six or more hours to get home. This truck is supposed to "run like a dream," but, assuming I buy it and drive it home, what advice does the Stovebolt community have for me? Just drive slow and hope for the best? Yeah, I'd like to haul it home on a trailer, but that's not an option at this time.

Thanks in advance.

G

Do more research. Is the truck drivable for six hours? Are the brakes in excellent working order? (If they're not, who cares how it runs?) Is it still original? (If so, you're not going over 50 mph for any length of time.) Hire a local mechanic (local to the truck) to give it the mechanical once over and pronounce it sound and ready for the trip.

I would beg, borrow, steal or rent a trailer. You do not want to discover the truck's problems on the highway. Find a friend who has a truck and trailer and will either loan it to you or go with you. Pay someone to pick it up for you.

You're talking about a 60+ year old truck. It's a very rare truck (unless it's fully restored or VERY well maintained) that can make a six hour trip without incident. Then your six hours becomes seven, or eight, or an overnight stay, and you're wondering why you bought it to begin with.

Sounds like you answered your question. Personally I find a trailer, but.... if you can't, they I would travel on the back roads and make an adventure out of it. Is someone going with you? Perhaps you can bring a few tools and such and have them follow you?

Not sure of your mechanical skills? You will need to twist a few wrenches anyway with these trucks. (or as they say in GB... 'wield the spanners')

Take pictures and let us know how it goes.

Go to Uhaul. Rent a car carrier trailer. Pull the trailer to the truck, haul it home. Take the trailer back to Uhaul. Done.

My truck 'runs like a dream' too, but even after a complete rebuild of the front end, it doesn't handle like a dream. I know my truck inside and out. I drive it every day. But a two hour drive at 50 miles an hour can be stressful and tiresome on the wrong roads. A six hour drive in a truck you're not familliar with is a good way to find out everything that's wrong with it. That's not a good way to start something meant to bring you joy.

On the other hand, if you have the time(make a weekend out of it), a few tools and are mechanicaly inclined, a trip like that would be fun.

Congratulations on the new truck (if you decide to buy it) as you will find out, there is more to "runs like a dream" than you might realize and to prevent this dream from turning in to your worst "nightmare" heed the warnings from the other bolter's that have given you great advice.

1. Have the truck taken to a certified mechanic that knows old vehicles:

A) check the brakes

B) check the wiring, make sure the generator is charging and the gauge is working

C) check tires (make sure you have a good working spare and jack)

D) Check the exhaust system (make sure that toxic fumes are not getting into the cab)

E) Check fuel system, rubber lines, filter etc.

F) Check wipers and vacuum lines for proper working order (they work erratically at best)

G) Check king pins and shocks and also check steering play.

H) Check radiator and temperature gauge.

I) Check for engine leaks (water and oil)

J) Check windows for proper operation (temperatures can change in a flash) you may need them to open and close fully during this trip.

K) Check heater and defroster for proper operation

L) Check clutch for proper play and see if there is any adjustment left

M) Check transmission for proper shifting under load and speeds (it's really hard to hold the shifter while you are driving to prevent it from jumping out of gear, don't ask me how I know)



Things to have if you decide to do this trip:

1) Flashlight (small and large)

2) Rags and hand cleaner

3) Tool kit which includes screwdrivers, hammer, combination wrenches, pliers of different types, razor knife, hack saw, electrical and duct tape etc.

4) Mat or blanket for lying on the ground

5) Extra rotor cap, plug wires, hoses, points, aligator clips and wire, starting fluid, fix-a-flat, water belt gas etc.



If this were me, I would make sure my AAA membership is current and premium (includes long distant towing up to 150 miles free) I would check to see if my cell phone account works in the area I was transporting through and have a list of name of gearheads in the area I was traveling through! You can always "negotiate with the seller to include delivery too. Good luck.........g

All the above. Beg, borrow a trailer and truck. Don't put any rig that you don't know well enough, through such an ordeal.

Thanks guys. I needed to hear someone else say some of this stuff. I wish this thing were closer to home, but good things are never easy, right?

Bald eagle: The truck has had minimal changes done to it, so it's mostly original. It's been converted to 12 volt, and the battery is under the hood. That's about the extent of the modifications.

DMGfifty: the "drive slow and make it an adventure" is exactly what I'd like to do, but I've had adventures in the past that were a little too mechanically adventurous so...I'm hoping to do this in such a way that I make it to work on Monday morning.

DavidF: I don't have a truck to haul it with, and the expense of going with a u-haul truck and trailer is a bit beyond the budget.

Two tone: what you said is exactly what I've been thinking. A mishap could sour the wine, BUT a slow, unhurried approach might be fun.

GMONIZ:I'm tempted to tattoo your list on my arm. Thank you.

Cmayna: I hate begging, borrowing, and stealing, but if ever there were a good excuse, this is it.

Thanks all. I'm still tumbling this all around in my head, and scouting around for a trailer. There's no reason it has to come home this weekend either. I'll go get a good look at it first. If I decide to buy it, my daughter lives nearby--about 45 minutes away from the truck--so maybe I'll drive it there and leave the rest of the trip for a time I'm more prepared.

Thanks for all the responses. Like I said, I needed to hear someone validate some of the scenarios I've been imagining.

I'm very grateful to you all for taking the time to think it over and respond so thoughtfully.

G

What I really want to say is just do it. Have some fun. Talk about the trip at work! Only 5 hours.....heck, by the time you get home you'll really know the truck well.

That's what I WANTED to say but the guys have some good idea's. But then, maybe just do it anyway. Problems the first half call your daughter, problems the last half, call the wifey My wife pulled me and the 37 home and by the time I got home I was a nervous wreck. LOL NEVER do that again.

When I bought the '66 the seller assured me that it could make the 3 hr drive home no problems. Last minute I decided to spend the extra bucks and rent a trailer. Putting the truck on the trailer was no problem. Taking it off we discoved the M/C was shot.

Time is worth money. 5 hours there, discover it won't make the trip, 5 hours back, rent a trailer, 5 hours back over again, then 5 hours on the return trip. I don't see how renting a trailer or truck and trailer can't be worth it. just my 2 cents........

"DavidF: I don't have a truck to haul it with, and the expense of going with a u-haul truck and trailer is a bit beyond the budget.

G: I wish you luck. I guess I incorrectly assumed you could get access to a tow vehicle (after all, what are friends for). In my area, Uhaul car trailers rent for about $50/day. I would caution you about getting into an unknown vehicle of this vintage if funds are tight. Yes, your labor is free, but parts and supplies cost add up quick.

Perhaps would a towbar work? I presume you have or can borrow a suitable tow vehicle. If so, get or make a light bar, make sure to check the front bumper(before you go) for suitability for a towbar, when there, pull the front hubs and check the front wheel bearings-sad case if they fail on the way home while being pulled, get a spare tire, already mounted.

Good luck.

.....wish I was closer. I'd just go get it for you! Hey, any bolters in your area that you have found? Brother helping brother!

pay him a few bucks extra to drive it to you...

when I sold my 52 a few yrs ago to guy in Ok
he came with a trailer,, it was cold and had
snow forecast for the return trip.. I was surprised
when he pulled up in a Dodge with a uhaul trailer and his girl friend..

I said you did not need the trailer, it would be a fun trip back .. in fact, I almost backed out of the deal, did not want to see it hauled on a freaking trailer, drive the sucker..
but then when he tried it out and went for a drive I could see
he was not use to driving a five speed, I had previous took his wife for a drive without him, so she knew how it should have been driven,, did not hold anything back.. but..
he has been happy with the truck..

You cant buy the kind of information you get here folks. These guys, ALL of them have really good input for you. So here's my HA Penny.. take your cell phone with you and have someone standing by to come get you. 6 hours is asking way too much. But its an adventure and as long as you keep your sense of humor, thru flat tires, overheated engine, dead battery, etc.. you will be just fine. Have you ever seen a movie called Planes, Trains, and Automobiles?

Well, I made the trip yesterday, and discovered a far more rusted vehicle than I'd been led to believe. I'm mulling the whole thing over, but my impulse right now is to continue the search. There are a lot of trucks out there, right?

Thanks again for all of your suggestions.

Wb

There's rust and then there's RUST!!!!. If the truck has cancer (swiss cheese holes in the visible metal), you can bet that the places you can't see are shot. You're looking at a lot of work and money unless you can fabricate your own sheet metal pieces, weld them on and do your own bodywork.

OTOH, it's hard to find one of these that doesn't have SOME rust. The 3100's were bad for rusting out near the side vents. Mine was missing some of the floor and firewall. It's all fixable with time and money. HOWEVER, the more rusty it is, the less money it's worth, and if the frame is badly rusted (not surface rust), don't buy it.

It all depends on how mechanically inclined you are, how much money and time you have, and what resources you have access to. A farmer with a complete shop with metal fabrication tools, welders, etc. is going to spend a lot less money than a guy in the city who has to pay to get a lot of the work done.

My truck took 13 years and cost about $45,000, but I splurged on stuff. Lots of powder coating, complete engine rebuild with mods, cam, oversize pistons, etc., expensive paint job, professional interior, headers, exhaust, modified drivetrain, etc., etc.

You sound like me, no stone left unturned, only the very best solutions considered. I have no doubt that it will cost me about the same. I am happy if I do the job right. I don't like to be unhappy. LOL! Its a great hobby if you have a very well equipped shop. Makes it so much more fun. Altho I am at 10 years right now, so I wonder if I can actually have these two trucks done in three years. There is plenty of inspiration here with all of the helpful advice and counsel. I have this complex though about having anyone else do the work. I get real nervous when I let anyone else do anything. Just me.

Glad you went to see it.
Rule 1. always check it out in person.
Rule 2. more than 20 mi, trailer it. Why screw it up before you have had time to check all systems, test at short drives and work your way up? and it's somewhat dangerous. tires go flat and all kinds of stuff.
Rule 3. It really does depend on your age. Until I was about 45, I would "drive the sucker home" or pull it with an old rope. After 45, everything under the sun can happen and I will be stuck on a lonely scary road at night with no flashlight and not the right tools.
Fixing big rust, the right way, with all the steps, using many different tools you have to buy, is the least fun, most work, time consuming, dirty, dusty, unthankful process in fixing up old trucks. So don't buy one with big rust as your first project or you will never finish it before death. There are, however, a few nutty people who enjoy body work. I'm afraid there are some here on Stovebolt! Don't listen to them, they are weird Zombie, Chainsaw Massacre people from funny shaped states.

My truck has been gone over many times and i had brake issues on the way back from KC this year and the year before and i was assured it was fixed but something else came up with the brakes. Just be careful.

I have to say, the thing was FUN to drive. It was a '54 3100. If it had been a little less swiss-cheesy I think I would have bought it, and figured out a way to get it home. But, the driver's cab corner was shot, the other one crumbly, and the floor was patched in several places with what looked like aluminum and pop rivets. What really put me off was the cab itself, where the fenders connect, was missing an awful lot of metal. The frame looked, rustier than I would have liked too. The engine seemed strong, the clutch and brakes worked fine and it shifted well in both directions. Reverse worked too. But it's three hundred miles away.

About five miles from where I live, a guy has a '46 3/4 ton chev, which he assures me I'll like a lot better, because of the bigger cab, open drive shaft, and four on the floor. It is in pretty good shape too. No major rust, just surface, but the windshield is a mess and the seat is springs only. It still needs a generator and tail lights but it does run well. He also fixed the brakes, making the front and back brakes independent.

Thing is, I've really been scouting for a late forties, early fifties model half ton. I think the '46 is a good deal, but I'm not sure it's the right truck for me. The 54 is a good truck, but probably more project than I want to deal with.

Too many strands. The mantra I keep coming back to is that there are a lot of trucks out there, and really, there's no rush. Right?

wiscobolt, you want to see rust. Take a look at my panel pictures. Its been 6 1/2 years but I'm getting there!

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52Panel/000_0027.jpg

...and of coarse floor boards/toeboard. Good wine takes time.

On the other hand, true story.. I was 20 stationed in Biloxi and my new wife was in Albuquerque.. 1200 miles away. I was granted Christmas leave for 2 weeks. All I had was my 1954 3100 that I got running, but from a farmers field with weeds growing up thru the floorboards. Very very iffy indeed. But, HAD to go see my wife!

Got as far as 50 miles west of San Antonio on a Sunday when the points broke and I coasted into a gas station and changed out the points. Not another single incident along the way at about 60 mph the entire way.

When I got there, the transmission was shot so I left it there and flew back. 4 months later I was assigned there so I got my precious truck back in order.

These trucks can be amazing and I have loved them ever since!

Don't listen to Alvin. He's crazy. He buys stuff no one else would touch, dumps a ton of money and work into it and drives around vehicles other people can only dream of.

The truck I bought was more project than I wanted... but so far it has not been terrible. I have learned a lot, and I know what is going on. Seeing some rust just means they have not tried to hide the problems.

I would be skeptical of someone else's brake job, you are depending on it... not them. I trailered mine home and I would recommend the same until you know what you are dealing with. A 1 day U-Haul trailer rental and a1/2 truck should do what you need for a 4 hour drive.

Try Omaha craigslist ....

South Dakota too ....




Jim

Here's how: www.adhuntr.com put " 'year' Chevy truck" in search line...don't forget the quotation marks!

I didn't read this post all the way through. But keep in mind that when you rent a Uhaul to tow a vehicle you have to rent one of their certain large size trucks and the trailer, for a 3 day minimum, I can't remember the price exactly but I really want to say around $700 for the whole deal. (hey, it was 10 years ago) They wouldn't waver on the requirements, so you aren't going to "just rent a Uhaul for $59.99 a day" They may have changed their requirements, but I am pretty sure it won't be cheaper. If you are thinking about going that way, at least check into it first. The other agencies (Penske being the only one I can think of off hand, but you get the idea) may be a better deal.

I bought a stock 54 in North Manchester Indian back in the late eighties. Drove it home 2 hours, no problems at all:-)

So, being patient, I bumped into one in my hometown. The big difference is that this one--in similar condition--is in pieces, stored in two locations and basically a jigsaw puzzle... The asking price is identical to the one three hundred and fifty miles away.

Thoughts?

What's your comfort level to put something back together that someone else took apart? It's a difficult task for someone with experience.

Perhaps you answered your own question? If the one in Pieces is "over all" better than the first one then buy it. With the Stovebolt community you will have no problem getting it back together. My panel was in somewhat the same situation but the PO did put the fenders and hood back on it for transporting!

Good luck

I'm good with my hands, good with tools. But I've never built a car from pieces before.